Printing machine



J. s. DUNCAN PRINTING MACHINE Filed Ogt. 9, 1925 1.0 sne'ets sne'enApril 5, 1927.

April 5 1927.

J 5. DUNCAN PRINTING MACHINE Filed 001:.9. 1925 10 Sh e'ets-Sheet 2 51927. J. 5. DUNCAN PRINTING MAQHINE Filed Oct 9, 1925' 10 Sheets-Sheefi3 April 5,1927;

J. S. DUNCAN PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1925 10 hams-Sheet 4 11,623,396, J. S. DUNCAN PRINTING MACHINE April 5, 1927.

Filed 0ct..l9, 1925 10 $heets-She 5 April 5,1921.

J. DUNCAN PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 1927' J.5. DUNCAN PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct-. 9, 1925 10 'She'ets-Sheef; 7

April 5. 1927.

J. s.- DUNCAN PRINTING micumr:

Fil'd Oct. 9, 1925 PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9; 1925, 10 Sheets-Sheet9 A til 5 1927.

J. s. DUNCAN rnniwme momma Filed Oct. 9, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet; 1

Patented Apr. 5, 1 927.

time. e

PA? EMT "i aosnrns nnnoan; or citioeeoittmois,assisivon.troiinnnnssoenarncoiviraiiv, I or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; ACORPORATION on ILLINOIS.

PRINTING MACHINE.

Application at; October. 9, 1925. Serial. no. 61,416.

This invention pertains toniachines employing a plurality of printingdevices, each device usually havin'ga particular address. It has beencustomary to provide a magazine. inhvhich a stack of such devices isplaced and from the bottom. of which the devices are gted, one at a timeto aposition having proper relation to a' form tromwhich a circularletter is to be printed. 'Then the address from the printing device andthe letterfrom theform may be printed at one operation upon a sheet ofpaper. Machines ofthis type have been operated either by hand or bymotor.

It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a machinewhich is particularly adapted foroperation by hand and which shall be ofsimplified construction having a minimum number of parts therein andwhich shall at the same time be'eiiicient in ope "ation.

A further object ofmy invention isto provide novel and improved meansfor discharging the printing devices after they have been used. It hasbeen customary to permit these devices to slide into 'an index drawer ortray wherein they are packed by suitable means, the devices passingalong a track extending to the drawer or tray. The devicesare arrangedinthe drawer or tray and in case of a large number-otsuch devices beingemployed there is obviously chance for displacement and ammingthere ofparticularly when the drawer or tray is nearly empty.

or hopper in which they arereceived and into which they drop by theirown weight and in proper position."

Still-further objects of my invention are to provide novel and improvedmeans for operat ng the mechanism which feeds the printing devices toand from operative position: for feeding the ribbon by means of saidpaper in position during the time when it is receiving an impressionthereon; and for shitting the platen, to prevent the for- 'mation ofgrooves therein.

In the accompanying drawings in which By my invention the devicesautomatically pack themselves in the drawer invention; I

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodyingmy invention." i

' Fig. 2 a frontelevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1. I I

Fig. 3 is a section on I. havesh'ow'na selected GillbOClilllQnttOf my IFig. 1.'

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view ofcertain ofthe parts appearinginFi 1;and

drawnwto a larger scale, certain parts being the line. of

broken away and others omitted for the sake of'clearness.

Fig. 6 isa-perspective' view oiwone ofthe printing ClGVlCGS'employedwithiny inven tion.

Fig. 7

Fig. 5. p I I I F ig. Sis an end elevation of the structure shown-inFig. 5 as viewed fromthe left of bat. figure,- certain pairtsbeing shownin section.

Fig. 5.

Fig. '5.

is asection onthe linei-7 7 Fig. 9 isa's ectionion 'the line'99'of Fig.10:18 Macra e. the line ice-.10 6f Fig. 11 is a planviewof certainof-the parts appearing in Fig.1, but-with saicl." parts occupying adi-iterent position from that shown therein; i i

- FighIQis-an end-elevation lot the structure appearing in Fig. 11,partbeing'shown i in section'tor clearness. I v I Fig. 13'is" a sectiononthe: line 13513. of Fig.12;

of the v machine shown in- Fig. .1.

Fig. 15 is a section on-"the' line 15 1 5- of Fig. '14, with the partsshown in a different- 16 is, a section-oiithe 16 l6 i of Fig. 14- is a.rear viewof thergreaterpart positionfrom that in which'they appearinFig. 17.

Fig. 19

of Fig. 14:. Fig. 20 is a plan View of certain; mecha nism disposedatthe rear of the @machine as is a view ta-henon the line' l9g-el9l I Ipaper gripping nechanism, shownin Figs,

' l v by these two figures being separated to betviewed in 1, the planeon which this T figure is taken beingindicated by the line 20. of Fig. 11, the mechanism shown in this figure being disposed in the same role:

tive position as in Fig.1. 1

Fig21fis sect'on on the line 21-21 of igs; v22 and 23 are perspectiveviews of 17 to 20 inc1usive, the two elements shown ter show the detailsof their construction.

Fig. 241s a fragmentary plan view taken on the line 2424j of Fig. 14.

lis- Referring now; to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1', 2and 3,1 have shown imy invention as embodied ina machine comprising aframe 1 supporting a bed plate 2,

upon which is supported the letter form 3. It iscoinmon practice to havethis t0rmcon-- taining a'letter which it is intended to send *toa numberof addresses and for that purpose printing devices carryingaddress formsare fed'siiccessively into position to copperate with theiletter formand then sheets of paper arefedone at a time into position "above theletter form and address form after i which an impression may be madeupon the sheet otpaperiin a suitable manner and then the printingdevice'carrying. the address form is moved from operative position andanother is fed into place. In this particular embodiment theimpressionsare takenffrom the forms 'bymeans of an inked ribbon 4 cooperating witha platen roller 5 mounted on aplaten'oarriage Sand reciprocated to movethe platen back and forth across the paper by menisci-a suitable handle7. a I

proved means for discharging the printing; devices after they have beenused, together with themeaiis for operating the mechanism ;which feedsthe printing devices to and I from operating position. This structure isbest shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7,8, 9 and 10 v andreferring thereto "Ihave shown at 8. a magazine adapted to contain: a plurality of.

printingdevices 9; These ide'vices may be deviceji'n the magazine,- thisbottom device resting upon a track formed by the longi- "iriage '12 isreceived within suitable guides *tiiCliilEtllYiGlllbIS 15' on thestationarybed 16. It will be noted that the slidingfcar- 17 in theframe, as plainly shown in Figs.

9 andJO. r

: Cooperating with the dogs 13 are a pair of projections 18 fixed to theother end of "I shall now describe the novel and the carriage from thaton which the dogs are pivoted, the distance between the inner ends ofthe dogs and the inner faces of the is reciprocated on a guide rod 19,by means which will be described more fully in deproject-ions being suchas to accommodate a printii' g device therebetween. The carriage taillater on, upon reciprocation of the platen carriage. ihe reciprocationof the carriage is from the position shown in Fig.

7 beneath the magazine 18 to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which theprinting device is deposited upon the bed plate 2'.

During, this movement the device 9 sup sorted on the carriage passesover the pivoted pawls 20, but upon return movement of the carriage thedevice is deflected by these pawls on to the track 21 which, as plainlyshown in Fig. 9, is formed of a pair of plates supported upon the frame,

and is substantially.parallel to'the track formed by the members 15. vThis traclr'21 terminates adjacent a hopper 22 directly beneath themagazine 8 and which, as best shown in '8, is open from rear to frontand is provided with the sides 3 and 23' tei'iniiiating'in shelves 24and 24; upon which 1 the printing devices may rest. Extending throughthe hopperreceiver 25 having a pair of rests 26 thereon and supportedupon a rod 2? pivoted at 28 on thefranie of the machine and urgedupwardlv by the spring 27. Secured to the top of the rod 27 is the cam29 co-acting with a cam roller 30 carried by a rod 31 .slidablysupported in brackets 32 and32 and securedto the side 23 of the hopper.

The rod 31 is provided at its forward end with a handle 33 by means ofwhich it may b'e'slid in the brackets within which. it is supported,thehopper being provided with a guide rod 22 sliding; in the frame ofthe machine. 3 I

The operation of the mechanism described above will be readilyunderstood from the followingbrief description. The printing devices:are taken one at a time from the bottom of a stack of such devicescontained n the magazine 8 and fed to position upon the bed plate2',1i01l1'll111 in effecta coin tinuation of the bed plate 2, by meansof the dogs 13 on the carriage '12, this movement of the carriage takingplace in synohronis'ni with theinovement of the platen carriage by meanswhich will be described later. is arriae'e .upon its return movement discharges theprinting device which has been used. by engagement of thedevice with the pawls 20, the device passing along the track 21 anddischarging into the hopper 22. this movementalong the track 21 beingcontrolled throughout bythe projections 18. As a device enters thehopper it is received on the rests 26 and it will be obvious that eachdevice :has only a very short distance to drop 22 is a i The llU

' The weight of the accumulating devices in the-hopper causes depression:of the. restszand the rod :27 on which; they are mounted to thepositionshown in-dottjed lines in Fig. 3, from which it wilhbe apparentthat the hopper may be used advantageously with. a small number ofprinting: devices :01" with. a relatively large number. When it:is'desired to empty the hopper the handle 33 may -be pulled to "bringthe hopper forwardly. to-tho positionshown: .in dotted linesi ini- Fig.3. During this movement =the cam roller by its action uponthe cam 29will cause depression of therod 27 to the dotted lin'eposi tion of Fig.3, it" it-is not already there and consequently the: printing devicesmay be readily removed, from the. hopper.

Thewabove described mechanism eXempli fies. means for supporting aplurality of printing devices in a hoppernat an elevation such'that eachdevice entering the hopper has: substantially the same distance. to:drop.

Furthermore, the .means for handling the devices and feeding them..toandfrom operative ,position will beseen to be. very simple in character andeflicient in operation. I shall now describe the improved mechanismforoperating "the carriage 12 in synchronism with the operation of theplaten carriage. This mechanism is best shown in Figs..1,2, 4, 5 and-8andreterring thereto it will bewseenithattheplatenwcarriage' 6 isreciprocated by means: of 'the handle T and' directed in itsmovement:=by

suitable guides '34 on the :t'rame 'ofthe machine-" Secured'to thecarriage 6 isnan operating member 35. moving along a guide'36 on theframe. Thisoperating member 35 has swiveled thereon a block v37. As theplaten carriage is moved toward the bed plate 2 tron'i the positionshown'in Fig. lg theblock 37 slides along a.:rod 38 passing therethroughand :providedat one end with a stop 39 engaging the block "37 to limitmovement of the/block onthe rod. A t itsother end the rod'38 is providedwith an enlargedportion 40. forming a shoulder 41 to engage the block 37and limittmovement of the :block in this direction. This end of .therod38- is pivoted to a: link formed with an upper horizontally extending:arm 42 and alower horizontally extending arm 43 connected by a verticalmember 44, the entire link being supported on the vertical pivot $2. Thearm 1 3 is pivoted to a link 45 which in turn is pivoted to a lever 46tulcrumed at 47 upon the frame of the machine. The member 14 is furtherprovided with anarm 48 co acting with a "stop 49 on the frame to limitmovement of the. mechanism in one direction. end of -the lever 46ispivoted zit/ 50 to a link =51 pivotedto a bracket 52 on the side of thecarriage 12. 'The arm ib" is extended The free beyond. the pivot 50 asat'53jand coioperates with astop 54 on the frame to limit. move ment ofthemechanism in the other direction.

Theopera-tionot the :mechanism just described is' evident, ::but: it maybe briefly summed up. like the platencarriage moved from thepositionshown in -Fig. l'across the bed plate 2 inorder to make animpres sionuin the usual manner,: the. block 3? slides alongathe rod 38until it comes in contact with the shoulder 4:1. "This arrangementexemplifies a lost motiont conneetion. which permits an; extensivemovement of? the platen I carriagewithout actuation OlliltllB carriage12, which I shall callzthe feeding device roarriage. -A=printing deviceis inflplace. upon thebed plate 2, as shown in Fig...3 be:tore theplaten carriage begins its. movei'nent this device having been, lettinplace by the preceding operation. As the block 3'? con tacts with theshoulder; 41 on the rod-' 38 the linkage is movedirom the position shownin Fig. l tothat'shown in Fig 5. That is;

the printing 'devicewcarriage is moved. to

wards the left, as. shown in Figs; 1, 3 and 5 EtllClf the printingdevice-isremoved.from the bed plate Qand deposited in the hopper'22in-the manner previously. described. The carriage 12 obviously slides inthe guides 17 and eonithe guide rod 19 and when it is in the positionshown in Fig. 5 lt*lS--fb(3- neathz the magazine 9zand as shown in Fig.7, the dogsliare in a position to catch the next printing device at thebottom ot' the stack in the magazine. The parts are soarranged' thatduring this: forward movement of the-platen and itsoarriage over the bedplate the impression. will be'taken-t'rom the printingdevice'on'rthebedplate 2 before the block'37 engagesthe shoulder 41; andin: fact the entire'iinpression from both formsythe letter form, and theaddress" form on the, printing "device, will be madebetorethecarriage-12 is moved. As the platen carriage'is moved back tothe position shown-in-Fig 1 the block 37 will'slide along the rod38wvitl1out causing any movement thereof until it comes: in contact.with the stop 39, and then further movement otthe platen carriage willcause operation of the rod 38, and the linkage will be returned from-theposition shown in Fig. 5tothat shown in Fig. lythis causing movement ofthe printingdevice carriage from'the position shown inFigsQ 5 and 7 tothat shownin Fig; 3.' Thismovement will cause'the'delivery of anotherprinting device tothe operative-position'upon the bed plate 2. Continuedreciprocatory movement of the platen carriage by means 1 will causerepetiis wound upon a spool-55 and :is adapted to be unwound therefromand wound up upon the. spool 56, disposedat the oppo- Lsitegend ofthebedplate 2 from the spool and the rod 61 serving to guide the arm '59 1 Themechanism for performing the feeding operation is best shown in Figs. 1,2, 11,12 and 13 and referring thereto it -will be seen that the cam. 57formed upon the operating member 35 of the platen carat the forwardlimit of travel of the platen carriage. This roller is mounted .upon anarm 59 pivoted upon the frame of the machine .asat 60 and having pivotedtoits lower end a rod 61 reciprocating in a'guide .62, thls guide beingswlveled' on the frame in'its proper plane and also performing afunction which will be described later.

It will be seen that the arm 59 passes close to the spindle 63 uponwhich is mounted the spool 56, this spindle being journaled in-asuitable bracket 6% oft-he frame, and being provided at its outer endwith a lmurled handle 65 for manual operation. A similar knurled handle66 is provided for 'th'efspool, '55. These knurled handles provide meansfor winding and rewinding the ribbon which, as shown in Fig. 3, istensioned over the forms placed on the bed plate, this tensioning beingelfectedby suitable means exemplified by arms 67 and 68 which arepivoted upon the machine frame and bear against. the ribbon in a mannerwell known in the art, and jtrated in Fig. 3.

Piv'otally connected to the arm 59-is a link 69, pivoted to one end/ofan arm 70. havingflits other end loosely journaled on the spindle 63 andbeing provided with an extension 71 carrying a pawl 72 adapted to 1co-operate with a ratchet 73, inenga'gen'ient with which it is held by aspring 74, the

V ratchet 78 being secured to the spindle 63.

.It'will be obvious that upon actuation of the platen carriage 6 acrossthe bed plate from the position shown, in Fig. 1-the cam 57 will causethe arm '59 to rock on its pivot in a counterclockwise direction, asviewed in 2and causethe pawl72 to ride over the teeth on the ratchet .73. As the plat-en carriage is returned to the positi'on'shown inlFig. 1,the arm 5.9 is rotated "in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2,.by means the the spring 75, this movemerit: being limited by a suitablestop 76, and the pawl will actuate the ratchet.

The above described mechanism exemplifies means for moving "an inkingribbon across the bed plate and above the type carried by the forms onthe bed plate, such 'meansbeing operated by movement of the platencarriage and in an e'xtremelyflsimple and efficient manner.

- I shall. now describe the iinproved means for holding the sheet uponwhich impreswhich is illusing the sheet from impression position. Thismechanism is best shown in Figs. 1, 2, l and 14- 110 24 inclusive, andreferring thereto, it

will be seen that the rod 61 when actuated by the cam 57 will engage thedog77, best shown in Fig. 2 and will rock the shaft 78 upon which thedog is secured. The shaft 78 terminates in an arm 79, as plainlyshown'in Figs. land 14:, which rests upon a pin 80 upon a roe: arm8lpivoted at 82 on the frame of the machine and provided with a rightangled extension 83, as best shown in Figs. 14, 17 ,.19, 20 and 24:.

fSe'cured to the main frame 1 of the machine is a rod 8%, best shown inFigs. 14:, 18 and '20 and upon which is slidably. mounted an auxiliaryframe clamped. upon the rod 84 by suitable means 86. Frame 85 isprovided with a suitable guide 87, best .shown in Figs. 14: and 20 inwhich is received a roller 88 on'the machine frame to co-operate withthe rod 8st in maintaining the frame 85 in proper alignment. 7

.Pivoted upon the frame85 is a rocker 89 comprising a transverse member90 having a plurality of arms 91'pivoted on the rod 92'and having otherarms 93 supporting a transverse rod 94. The transverse member -90 isprovided with an arm 95 having at its lower end a roller 96 which rid-eson the top surfaceof the extension 83, in contact with which it is heldby means of the spr1ng'97.

Pivoted upon the transverse rod 94; is the gripper frame 98 shown inperspective in Fig. 22 and comprising a plurality of gripper fingers 99.The gripper fingers co-operate with means on the auxiliary frame 85 tohold the paper in correct position. This means isexemplifiedby thestructure shown in Fig. 23 and comprises va plurality of surfacescorresponding in number to the gripper fingersv 99 and provided withstops 101 againstwhich the edge of a sheet of paper may be placed. Thegripper fingers 99 are normally urged into engagement with the surfaces100 or witha sheet of paper disposed thereon by means of the spring 102.One or more of the gripper fingers is provided with a depending lug 101,which will co-operate with the lugs: 101 to properl align the edge of asheetof paper and wi l insure that the paper shall not become displaced.Each surface 100 terminates in a depressed portion 103 to permit thegripper fingers 99 to pass beyond and beneath the surface 100, for apurpose which will presently appear.

Mounted upon the platen carriage .6, as best shown in Figs. 14: and 16and as also indicated in Fig. 17 is a roller 104csupported- 104'is sodisposed as=to engage and run on a track 108'carried at one end of thegripper'frame 98. \Vhe'n the roller 10 1 is in engagementwith the track108 the gripper frame is raised to the position Sl'lOWIl in Fig.

. lever 110 is forked to receive the rod 113 secured to brackets 114upon a transverse rock shaft 115. 'The rock shaft 115 is ir- "regular inform, as shown best in Fig. 14,

I of Fig. 14 is provided with an arm 116 (see also Fig. 16). Disposedupon the other end of the-roclr shaft 115 and secured rigidly thereto isa second arm 117. (See Figs. 14 and. 15.) i

As. noted above, the platen carriage is directed in its movement bysuitable guides 34 on the frame of the machine' These guidesreceiverollers 118' upon the platen carriage. Referring particularly toFigs. 2, 4,15, and 16 it will be seen that the platen shaft 119 uponwhich the platen 5 is secured is revolubly mounted in a pair of arms 120pivotally mounted at 121 upon the carriage. T he platen shaft 119 hassecured to each end thereof grooved rollers 122, which receiveflangedrollers 123, which flanged rollers are supported upon a shaft124: carried by links 125disposed adjacenteithe'r end of the .sh-aft.These links 125 are pivota'lly-con- 'nected at their other ends torigid. arms 126 upon the rock shaft 115. The-rollers 123 contact with anoverhead track 127, which limits the upward movement of the rollers,

the downward movement thereof being governed by contact with the rollers122. The platen shaft 119 is urged upwardly by means of springs128whereby the rollers 122 and 123 are held incontact andthe roller 123 isCir held in contact with the tracks 127.

The operation of the mechanism just described will be briefly given. Theplaten being shown in-Figs. l, 1 1' andl5.

.means (not shown).,align the paperwin the direction at right angles tothe twofedges referred to. new, asthe platen 5 -move's over to the left,as viewed inv Figs. 1 and17,

the roller 101 will leave the track 108 and then the-spring102 willdepressthegripper lingers. 99 to securely engage. v the edge of thepaper between the fingers: 99 and the surfaces 100. Tlhe platencontinues its travel across thesurface of thepaper and it will be notedthat the fingers 112 will be held in raised position, asshown in Figs;4; and 17. As the platen-carriageapproaches the end of its travel andafter the platen has left the paper thearm 11 will-engage the pin 180-onthe frameof the machine,'this,.pin v This engagement will cause therockshaft 115 to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 15and-21 and consequently will cause theilingers 112 to be 'depressed tothe position indicated in Fig. 21. Thusit will be seen that upon returnmovementof the platen carriage the fingers 112 will engage the edge of asheet of paper, such as 130 and tend to carry the paper with itginxthereturn movement. v

The paper has been heldbetween thegripper fingers 99 and the surfaces100, these parts occupying the position shown: inFig.

18. However, the platen carriage. has,

through the cam' 57, actuated the dog-77 and rod,78 to depresstherocklarm 81, as I previously described and the. action of the spring97 has ca-used the rocker 89-to rotate about its pivotto the positionshown i'n Fig. 19. During thismovement the gripper fingers 99 willdragalongthepaper" on the surfaces 1001'and-passtothe surfaces 103, thusat all times contacting .with the paper until the lingers have passedtheedge there of. lt'will be seen thatYthe fingers 99 i are now in aplane beneath that of the paper and as the carriage starts nitsreturn'travel the dog 77 s released and thesprlng 131w1ll lift thei'oclrerarm- 81 and consequently the rocker 89 to the position shown inFig.18.

During this movement the gripperfingers 99 will pass beneath, the edgeof the paper and lift the same so that the fingers 112'Inay pull thepaper over the grlpper fingers 99 on the return travel of the platencarriage. After the platen carr age has reached'its init al position, asshown 'in Figs. a and 17, the

rollers 10 1 will engage, the traclr l08 and lift the gripper fingerstotheposition indibe repeated.

When the arm 117 engages with thepinQlSO the movement of therock shaftwill cause movement of the shaft .124 and consecated in Fi s. a and 17when the c ole ma V. e a y y 128 out of engagement with the paper theplaten-v carriage approaches the initial position shown in Figs. .4 and17 the arm 116' on the rock shaft 115' will engage the pin 132,bestshown in Figs. 1, 14 and 16, "and will move the rock shaft back tothe po 'sition shown in Fig. 16, the contact between the-pin 132 and thearm 116 being'made on the surface 116 of'the arm. This movement willthen force the rollers123 towards the right, asvi'ewedin 'Fig. 16, orto-wards the left as viewed in Fig. '15 and will conse- I quent'ly forcethe platen shaft and the platen down to operative position."

I shall now describe the means for shifting the platen roller axially. 1This mechanism is designedto avoid the grooving of the platen rollerwhich takes pla-ceif it is used continuously with one form. By shiftingthe platen slightly along its axis after each operation, it is obviousthat the type contained on the letter form will not exert pressureagainst Q thesame portions of-the platen as on the precedingoperation,when the platen is again operated over the form. By this means theformation of a groove in the platen is] avoided and thelife thereof ismaterially increased.

The above mechanism is best shown inFigs.

f1, 4, 14 and121 and referring thereto it'will qbetween brackets 134 isa sleeve 135, the

be seen'that the platen carriage 6 has mountedthereon-a rod 133 andsecured on this rod 3 brackets 1134 preventing longitudinal movefmentthereof. The sleeveis provided at one o end with aratchet136co-0perat1ng"with a turn ispivotally mounted upon an auxiliarycarriage139ywhich supports the platen roller pawlfl37 pivoted upon anarrn138, which in and parts co-operatin'g therewith, as indicated inFigs. 15 and-16. The arm 138 is normally urgedupwardly-by the compres-.

sion spring 140 and is provided with a nose 141 bearing againstthe'plate-142 carried by the rock shaft 115. The arrangement of l partsis best shown in Fig. 21 and'is such that when the rock shaft 115 is-actuated to bring thefingers 112 into engagement with a a sheet ofpaper 130, the arm 138 is moved 1T upwardly to the position shown inFig. 21 i by the'action of the spring 140, the pawl 137 riding idlyoverthe teeth on the ratchet 136. Then as the rock shaft is actuated to liftthe fingers 112 outof engagement with the paper: 130, as previouslydescribed, and to return the fingers to the position shown in F ig. 4,the.arm*138 will be depressed by the "contact of the plate 142 with'thenose 141' and a rotation "of-the'sleeve 135. will be- "caused by theaction of the ,pawl upon theratchet.

i 14, it will be seen that the sleeve 135'is pro-j "vided with acam 143preferably in the form Referring now particularly to Figs. 4 and a of "acylinder having a spiral cam groove 144 c therein.

: secured to the auxiliary carriage 139, Fig.

This groove receives a roller 145 of the auxiliary carriage 139 due tothe co-action of the cam 143 and pin 145. "It will be noted. that thecam groove 144 is continuous and therefore the axial movement of theauxiliary carriage and consequently of the platen roller will be a stepby step movement in one direction and then a step by step movement inthe opposite direction, the extent of these movements being controlledby the shape of the cam groove. 144.

The mechanism just described exemplifies novel and improved means foravoiding the grooving of the platen roller, the disadvantages of whichhave been set forth above and which are'well known in the art. The typeof'machine with which my invention is used is one in which the sameletter form may be used many times and usually is, in

the preparation of circular letters, or the.

like, to be sent out inlarge quantities. It is therefore obvious thatwhen a platen roller is moved back and forth over the same form severalhundred times perhaps, the roller will have grooves formed thereincorresponding tothe type on the letter form. By my invention thisgrooving is avoided by a very efficient andat the same time a verysimple-and easily constructed mechanism. e

The operation otthe entire machine will have become known from thedescription of the operation of the various parts thereof as given aboveand 1t 15 deemed unnecessary to repeat'the same here. It will be-obviousthat the machine embodies mechanism of novel and greatly improvedcharacter for performing the various objects of my invention.

I am aware that changes in the form, construction and arrangement ofparts may be made wlthout departingfrorn the spirit and 'withoutsacriticing the advantages of the invention and I reserve the right tomake all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the followingclaims. I claim: v

'1. A printing machine comprisingmeans. for prmting fromv a plurality ofdevices, 'meansfor feeding said devices from operative position, and ahopper to receive said devices and comprising pivoted means forsupporting them in a stack therein with the top of'the stack at asubstantially constant elevation.

- 2. A printingmachine comprising means for printing from a plurality ofdevices, means tor teedmg said devices from operative' position, ahopper to receive said devices, and a pivoted receiver disposed in forprinting from a plurality of devices,

means'for ieeding said devices from operative position, a hopper to.receive said devices and comprisingpivoted means for supporting them ina stack therein with the top of the stack at a substantially constantelevation, and means to move said hopper to permit removal ot'said stackof printing devices. 1

4. A printingmachine comprising means for printing; from a plurality ofdevices, means for teeding saiddevices from operative position, a hopperto receive said de vices, a receiver disposed in said hopper and capable0t downward movement under the weightvof the devices resting thereon,and

means to move said hopper to disengage said devices from said receiver.

A printing machine comprising means for printing from a plurality ofdevices, means for ieedingsaid devices from operative position, a hopperto receive said devices, a receiver disposedin said hopper and capableof downward movement under the weight of the devices resting thereon,and means to move said hopper to disengage said devices from saidreceiver, movement of said hopper causing downward movement of saidreceiver to'bring the devices thereon to the bottom oi said hopper;

6. A printing machine comprising means for printing from a plurality ofdevices, means for, feeding said devices fromoperative position,a hopperto receive said devices, a receiver pivoted on said machine andextending into' said hopper, and yielding means normally holding saidreceiver inv elevated position and permitting downward movement thereofunder the weight of accumulating devices insaid hopper.

7. A printing machine comprising means for printing from a pluralityofdevices, means for feeding said devices from operative position, ahopper to receive said devices, a receiver pivoted on said machine andextending into said hopper, yielding 'means' normally holding saidreceiver in elevated positi'on'and permitting downward movement thereofunder the weight of accumulating devices in said hopper, and means tomove said hopper relativeiy'to said receiver to permit removal of thedevices therefrom. I a

8. A printing machine comprising means for printing from a plurality ofdevices,

means for feeding said devices from opercarriage.

flected device and guide it to said no,

'at ive position, a-hopper to receive said! devices, a receiver pivotedon said machine and extending into said hopper, yielding 'means normallyholding said receiver in elevated position and permitting downwardmovement thereof under the weight :01 accuanulating devices in saidhopper, means to move said hopper relatively to said receiver to permitremoval ot the devices therefrom,

andmeans actuated by movement of said hopper to depress said receiver tocause movement oi the devices thereon to position at the bottom of saidhopper.

9. A- printing machine comprising means for printing from a plurality ofdevices,

ative position,'a hopper to receive said devices, a receiver pivoted onsaid machine and extending into said hopper, yielding meansnormallyholding said receiver in elevated position and permittingdownward move ment thereof under the weight of accumulating devices insaid hopper, a rod-secured to said hopper and having a handle'thereon,and cam means on said rod and said receiver and co-operating to causedepression of said 80 means for feeding said devices from oper,-., I

receiver upon movement of saidhopper by 'i said handle. 7

10. A printing; machine comprising a magazine adapted to contain aplurality oi printing devices, a bed plate upon which a printing deviceis adapted to be placed, a hopper disposed directly beneath saidmagazine, a carriage reciprocating between said magazine and said hopperand having dogs "-100 thereon adapted to teed a device from saidmagazine to said bed plate andhaving projections co-operatihg with saiddogs to hold a device therebetween, said dogs teeding said device in onedirectionottravel of said car riage and said projections feeding saiddevice "inthe other direction of travei of'said;

11., A printing machine comprising a magazine adapted to contain aplurality of printing devices, a bed plate upon 'vvhich a printingdevice is adapted to be placed, a hopper disposed directly beneath saidmagazine, a carriagevreciprocating between said magazine'and saidhopperand having-dogs thereon adapted to feed a device trom saidmagazine to said bed plate and having proilO jections cooperating withsaid dogs to hold a device therebetween, said dogs feedingsaid device inone direction oi travel oi 11d car riage and said pro ections 'leedingsaid device in the other direction oi travel oi said carriage, pivotedpawls disposed in the-line of travel of said carriage and pern'i ittinga device on said carriage to pass thercovcr when being fed to said bedplate, but deflecting said device upon return movement o't" saidcarriage,- and' atrack to receive sa idiie- 1 lQL-A printing machinecomprisinga magazine adapted to contain a'plurality of printing devices,a bed plate upon which a printing deviceqis adapted to be placed, a

' hopper disposed directly beneath said mag azine, a pair ofsubstantiallyparallel tracks,

one of said tracks extending from'said magazine to said. bed plate andthe other from "said bedplate to said hopper, and a carriage havingmeans thereon to receive a device from said magazine and feed the samealong saidfirst' named track to said bed plate and then along saidsecond nan' ed'track to said hopper.

13. 1A printing machine comprising a bed plate, a platen carriage havinga platen A adapted to co-operate with said. bed plate, a

v n'iagazine adapted to contain a plurality of printing devices, aprinting device carriage adapted to feed devices to and from posit onupon said bed plate, and a lost motion connection' between saidcarriages whereby vices,, a printing device carriage adapted to feedsaiddevices one at a time to and from position on said bed plate, anoperating memb er carried by said platen carriage and having-ablockswiveled thereon, a rod slidably mounted 1n said block, means to limitmovement of said block on said rod, andya con- Qnection between saidrodand said feeding device carriage, for the purpose set forth.

* 15. A printing machine comprising a bed plate, a platen carriagehaving a platen ,tion'between said carriages, and a cam onv adapted toco-operatewith said bed plate, a magazine adapted to contain a pluralityof printing devices, a printing device carriage adapted to-feed saiddevices to and from po 'sition onsaid bed plate, a ribbon co-operatingwithsaid printing devicesand said platen and adapted to be fedintermittently across said bed plate, a rlostmotion connecsaid platencarriage and adapted to operate the r bbon feeding mechanism.

16. Aprinting machine comprising a bed plate, platen carriage having aplaten adaptedto-co-operate with said bed-plate, a

1 magazine adapted to contain, a plurality of printing devices, aprinting device carriage adapted to feed said devices to and fromposition on said bed plate, a ribbon co-operating with said printingdevices and said platen and adapted to be fed intermittently across saidbed plate, a lost motion connection between said carriages,; and acam onone of said carriages to feed said ribbon;

, 17. A printing machine comprising a bed plate,a platen carriage havinga platen adapted to co-operate with said bed plate, a ribbon stretchedover said bed plate and wound upon spools on either side thereof, a

ratchet on one of said spools, a pawl co-operatlng with said ratchet, anarm mounted adand contacting with said roller to operate said ratchet.

jacent said spool and having a camroller thereon, and a cam on saidplaten carriage 18; A printingmachine comprising a bed plate, .a clampfor holding paper in position above said-bed plate, a platen carriagehavinga platen adapted to co-operate with said bed plate, means torelease said clamp and operated by movement of said platen carriage; I

lQvA printing mac'hinecomprising a bed plate, means for holding asheetof paper in position above said bed plate and comprising a surfaceupon wlnch the edge of said paper rests and a gripper finger cooperatingwith said surface to clamp said paper in posit on, aplaten carr agehaving a platen adapted to co -operate with said bed plate, and meansoperated by the movementof said platen. carriage to SllClG Stlld gripperfinger in respect to. said surface and beyond the edge of the paperthereon. 20. reprinting machine comprising a bed plate, means forholdinga sheet of paper in position above said bed plate and comprisinga surface upon which the edge of said paper rests and a gripper fingercooperating with said surfaceto clamp said paper in position, a platencarriage having a platen adapted to co-operate with said bed plate,andmeans operated by the movement of said platen carriage to slide saidgr pper finger 1n respect to said surface and beyondthe edge of thepaperthereon and to slide said gripper finger back underthe edge of saidsheet of paper.

21. A printing machine comprising a bed plate, means for holding a sheetof paper in position above said bed plate and comprisinga surface uponwhich the edge of said paper rests-and a gripper finger co-opcratingwith said surface to clamp said paper in position, a platen carriagehaving a platen adapted to co-operate with said bed plate, and meansoperated by the movement of said platen carriage vtojslide said gripperfinger in respect to said surface and beyond the edgeof the paperthereon and to slide said gripper finger back under I the edge of saidsheet of paper and then to lift the edge of said sheet of paper toremove it from said bed plate.

22. A printing machine comprising a bed plate, means for holding a sheetof paper in position above said bed plate and comprising a surface uponwhich the edge of I said paper rests and a gripper fingercooperating-withsaid surface to clamp said "paperin position, a platencarriage having a] platen adapted to co-operate with said 'bed'plate, ,acam on said platen carriage,

and means 'goperated'bywsaid'cam at one end of the movement ofsaidplaten carriage f across said bed plate to operate said gripper finger;1 r

l 23 .iA printinggnaehine comprising a bed plate, j means disposed atone edge of said" bedplateftohfold a sheet of paper, a platencarfriagehaving a platen adapted; to cooperate with said fbed plate, andmeans dis posedjatlhe opposite, side of said "bed platefrom said holdingmeans and operated by said platen carriage to releasesaid holding 24;; Aprinting machine comprising a bed plate means disposed atone edgethereof for holding a sheet of papencomprising a r surface upon whichthe edge of 'a sheetf'isf carrying said"finger andadapt ed to beadaptedto 7 rest and a gripper finger, cooperating; with said j surface, f aplaten car riag jhavin a platen adapted to co-operate wi h ai lb'edplate} .a pivotedgripper frame rocked on its pivot by saidplatenjcarriage,

r a rocker supportingsaid gripper 'frame, and

means to actuate. said jjrocker and foperated by (sa d platen carr agewhen it approaches I theopposite edgeofthe bedplate from said at thesaidside o f'the bedj plalte, arocke supporting said gripper frame,means eX tending beneath said bed plate jto actuate said grocker, andmeansdisposed at'the opposite side. of said bed plate from, said firstnamed" side to ,operate said rocker actuatf in'g mecl'ianism. andin.turn operated by jmovenientof said platen carriageto' sa1d'opposite sideof 'said bed jpl'ate, operation of said rocker causing said gripperfinger to slide'beyondtli'e' edge 'ofthe sheet of paper and then toslide back beneath said; edge,

andjreturn ofs'aid platen carriage to thefirs 't V namedside of said;bed plate causingfsaid finger-to rise and thus. raise the edge Ofjsaidsheet;- I

26. In a '1 3rintingmaehine, means tojhold asheet ofpaper and comprisinga surface fupon which the. edge of said sheet v may ,be

placed, a 'gripper-finger, adapted to cooperate WithsaidsurfaCe toholdsaid sheet,

means to slide said, finger beyond said edge,

means: to slide said ifinger back-beneath; said edge, and means to raisesaid Jfinger to lift '27. In -:a printing machine, means-to-hold asheetrofipap er and comprising a. surface upon whichth edgeof-saidsheevmayfbe.

placed, a gripper finger adapted to ('20-;

operate with said surfaceto hold; said (sheet; means to slide saidfingerbeyond said-edge,

means to slide'Said finger back; -beneath sa id edge, means toraise\sai'd:fingertQ-liift said sheet, and means engaging the op positeedge; of-sald' sheet" to pullthei Same'fOVersmdfinger; V a v 28;-Aprinting machine c0mpi'is'ing---a bed plate, a plurality of springsadjacent one' edge thereof'andfiadaptedto maintain the;

edge of -'a sheetofjpaper in, position-above said bed plate, a 1 platencarriage having a platen adapted to co-operate w1th' said-'-? bedplate,aplurality offingers pivotallymounted: on, said'carriage and 'ad'aptedto engage the, edge of said: sheet-(above said springs,

for the purpose 'setforth.

'29.]Aj printing machine comprising-a bed plate uponwhichasheeto'fpaperis adapted to be placed, a platen carriagehaving--21, platen adapted-t0 co-operate withsaid ibed plate, aplurality -of-fingers pivotally mount+ ed upon said carriage?-andadapted'to en-' gage an edge of said, sheetfand 'fmeansto raise andlower said. fingers uponmovem'ent oftsad carriage back and forth oversaid bed plate, said fingers being raised out-of;

engagement with said paper when said platen is making an impres'slonandbeing,

lowered "into engagement with an;,edge-"o;f

plate, means to hold a sheet of paper" in position on said',bed=plate,'aplaten-"carriage having a platen. adapted; to, co operate; with. saidbed 'plate,*".a printing, de'vi'e'e' carriage V .t 30 A printing machinecomprising bed a daptedz toieedprinting; devices into'=-positien -on'said 'bed plate, a' ribbon stretchedabove saidbed plate and adapted "toibe fed intermittently thereover, an operating mem her on said platen,carriage andhaving a lost-- motion connection ,with' said] printing (163108 carr age and acam on saidjoperatmg, member and adapted :to operatesaid ribbon feeding mechanism and" said fpaper holding means.

31; A printing machine comprising a bed plate, means to 'hold a sheet ofpaper in,

position on said bed plate, a platen carriage having platen adapted toco-operate with said bedplate, a printing devjceeama e adapted'to'feed'printing' devicesinto' position' on said bed-plate, 'a"ribbonstretched above said bed; plate andadapteditO bejii'e'd intermittentlythereover, means to shift said 5 platen on its carriage, andmeanscontrolled by movement of said platen carriage to operate said printingdevice. carriage, said ribbon feeding mechanism, said paper holdingmeans and said platen shifting means.

V T intermittently thereover,jmeans to shift said 1.: platen on itscarriage, and means controlled a 3 2. A printing machine comprising abed plate, -means to hold a sheet of paper 1n position on said bodplate, a platen carriage having a platen adapted; to co-operate withsaid bed plate, .a printing device carriage adapted to feed-prlntingdGVlCBS into posh tlOIY MQII said; bed plate, a ribbon stretched abovesaid bed plate and adapted to be fed by movement of said platen carriageto operatesaid printingdevice carriage, said ribbon feeding mechanism,said paper holding means a nd said platen shifting means,

and to 'raise and lower said platen inrespect tos'aid bed plate.

printing machine comprising a bed plate adapted to receivea'sheet ofpaper, a V platen carriage having a platenadapted to co operate withsaid bedplate, a'plurality of 1 fingers on said carriage and adapted tocontact with an edge of said sheet toremove it from said bedplate,ineans torock said fingers and to raise and lower said 'platen inunison, said fingers beingraised and said platen being lowered duringmove- 1 ment ofsaid carriageover said bed plate in onesdirection andsaid platen being raised and-said fingers being lowered during thereturn travel-of said carriage over said bed 34. plate upon which asheet of paper is adapted plate, aplurality of fingerson said carriagesaid fingers at the end-0f the travel ofsaid carriage in one directionand meansto actui ate said rock-shaft to raise said fingers at the endof-the travel .ofsaid carriage in the opposite direction. a n a 3 5. Aprintingmachine comprising a bed plate upon which asheet of paper isadapted -to'?be*.placed,a platen carriage having a platen adapted toco-operate with said bed .plate, ,a 'plurality'of fingers on saidcarriage" and adapted to; engage an edge of asheet of paper, a rockshaft on'saidcarriage, means 5 to ,actuatesaid rock shaft "tolower saidI fingers at the end of the travel of said carria'ge' in onedireotionpand means to actuate I said rockishaft to' raise said fingersat the end-of the travel of said carriage in the opposite direction,said lowering and raising of 'saidafin ersbeing accompanied by raisingand lowering respectively of respect to said bed plate;

said platen in A printing machine comprising a bed 36. A printingmachine comprising a'bed plate upon which a sheet of paper is adapted tobe placed, a' platen carriage havmg a platen adapted to co-operate withsaid bed plate, a plurality of fingers on said carriagcl andadapted toengage an 'edge-of'a sheet" of'paper, a rock shaft on said] carriage;means to actuate sai d rockishaft'to lower said fingersat the end of thetravel of said carriage in one direction, 'meansto actuate said rockshaft to raise, said fingers at the end of'the travel ofsaid carriage inthe op posite direction, and. means operated by movement of saidrock'shaftfto shift said platen on saidcarriage; V

37. A printing machine comprisinga bed plate, a platen carriage having aplaten adapted to co-operate with said bed plate,

and means to shift said platen'axially in respect to said carriage aftereach operation thereof. b 3

3 8. A printing machine comprising a platen carriagehavingfa platenroller theieon, means for'vreciprocating said carriage,

and means actuated by said reciprocationto 7 move said platenintermittently lengthwise of its axis. 39. A printing machine a maincarriage adapted to be reciprocated over said bed, an auxiliary carriagecarried by 'l the main carriage and movable conjointly with. andindependently of the main car} riage, and a platen roller carried bysaid auxiliary carriage. i

1 40. A printing machine comprisinga bed plate, a mam carriageadapted tobe re 'CIPIOCLllGCl over said bed plate, an, auxiliary carriage carried:by and movable relatively to the main carriage, a platen roller on saidauxiliary carriage, and means for intermittently moving the auxiliarycarriage and the V platen roller lengthwise of the platen roller.

-41. A printing machine comprising a bed plate, a platen carriageadapted to be ,reciprocated across said bed plate, an auxiliary carriageon said first named carriage and capable of movement at right angles tothe direction of movement across said bed comprising a bed,

no t

plate,,a platen roller onsaidauxiliarycan riage, a cylindrical camhaving a peripheral groove therein and rotatably supported on saldplaten carriage, means received in said groove and rigid with saidauxiliary carriage, a ratchet rigid with said cairn-and 211,1

pawl on saidplaten carriage and operated at the end ofthe movement ofsaid carriage in one dlrection, for the purpose set forth.

42. A printing machine comprising a bed plate, means to hold a' sheet ofpaper in position on said bed plate, a platen carriage having a platenadapted to cooperate with said bed plate, a printing device carriageadapted to feed printing devices into .position on said bedplate, aribbon stretched l

